Drywall is a building material used for interior walls and ceilings. It is made of plaster between two sheets of paper and can be hung horizontally or vertically. Joint compound is used to cover the joints and can be sanded for a smooth finish. Drywall sheets can be made for specific needs and come in various sizes. It is easy to install and available at retail stores. There are five levels of drywall finish for quality control.
Sheet drywall is a building material that is generally used to make the interior walls and ceilings of houses. It is usually made of plaster that has been pressed between two thick sheets of paper. It is typically light in color so that it can easily be painted in the desired interior color. Other common names for sheet drywall are wallboard, Sheetrock®, and drywall.
Drywall can be hung horizontally or vertically, depending on the needs of the space. Multiple sheets are hung next to each other to cover a room. First, a sheet is cut to size for a particular wall or ceiling. Then, a small saw is used to create cutouts for light switches, outlets, and other small openings. Each drywall sheet is then secured to the room frame using drywall nails or screws.
The area where the two sheets meet, called the joint, is taped and covered with joint compound. To ensure the uniformity of the final wall or ceiling, the compound must be smoothed and, often, sanded. This is one of the more difficult and precise tasks associated with sticking drywall, and many professionals find it an art to properly tape and smooth joint compound.
Drywall sheets can be prepared in a variety of ways to meet construction needs. For example, they can be made to be fireproof, to reduce noise, or to resist the humidity in the bathroom. Drywall sheets are typically sold in 1/2 and 5/8 inch (12.7 and 15.8 mm) thicknesses, although some can be narrowed down to 1/4 inch (6.35 mm). They often measure 4 m by 8 m (1.2 ft by 2.4 ft), although larger sheets are available. A sheet of drywall this large is useful for a particularly large space; the larger each sheet, the fewer sheets needed and the fewer joints left to seal and sand.
Unlike traditional plaster, a drywall sheet can be installed very quickly by drywall experts or even DIY professionals. If the drywall sheets are small enough, one person can do the job himself. Because it’s such a popular building material, it’s readily available at retail building supply stores, not just specialty stores.
To assist the communication process of building architects, contractors, and owners about the look and feel of drywall, four trade associations issued recommendations in 1990 for drywall finish levels. The levels range from 0 to 5, with each level representing a higher quality of the final product.
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